There’s often confusion about the difference between mentoring and discipleship, especially within Christian circles. The terms get tossed around as if they’re interchangeable. Someone might say they’re being discipled or mentored by another, or that they’re doing the discipling or mentoring themselves. On the surface, these two processes share similar traits—they both involve teaching, sharing insight, and listening carefully to where someone is in life in order to help them move forward. Each one is deeply interpersonal: a connection forms between two people, shaped by mutual trust and intention. Yet, as I’ve discovered both in my professional work and spiritual journey, the difference between the two couldn’t be more profound.
As a detective, I understand the value of mentorship. You can be mentored about just about anything. Need to investigate missing persons or work a cold case? If I have the experience, I can mentor you in those areas. The mentoring process is inherently flexible and often niche, shaped by the particular skills and wisdom the mentor brings to the table. You could ask for advice on becoming a better golfer, or even seek mentorship in something as specialized as sushi-making. Sure, I could tell you how to approach a green, improve your swing, or refine your technique as a sushi chef. And it’s possible—common, even—to be mentored in a way that never once brings Jesus into the conversation.
What makes discipleship distinct is that it’s fundamentally Jesus-centered. When I disciple someone, the goal is no longer just the transfer of wisdom or skill. The objective is to share what Jesus has been teaching his followers for over two thousand years. It’s about conveying the teachings of Jesus, the heart of what He wants us to know and become. Mentoring can be compartmentalized; it can stay in a professional or hobby lane, never touching the deeper reaches of belief or character. In contrast, discipleship encompasses every aspect of life—there is no area of existence untouched by the words and life of Jesus.
Mentoring often relies on my own power. If you ask for help investigating a crime or learning an everyday skill, I draw from my personal experience, my training, my own insights. It’s a transfer from one person to another—useful, but limited to human capacity. But when I disciple someone, I have to step back and surrender control. Discipling demands that I allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words and actions. In this setting, my aim is not to be seen, but to become invisible so that God is visible. I can mentor someone using only what’s within me. To disciple effectively, I have to recognize that what matters most isn’t my knowledge or experience, but God’s transformative work in the lives of others. Mentoring often relies on my own power. But when I disciple someone, I have to step back and surrender control. Share on X
And here’s something else: while mentoring can be highly specialized, discipleship is comprehensive. It’s not just about a particular skill set or professional technique. Jesus’ teachings speak to every corner of our lives—how we think, act, relate to others, use our talents, and make decisions. There isn’t a single aspect of creation that’s off limits to His influence. Discipleship means walking alongside someone and showing how the gospel intersects with daily life, whether you’re at work, at home, or even rolling sushi. Jesus reaches into every sphere, and it’s our job to illuminate that reality for others.
So while I value mentoring, and am often called upon to offer guidance in specific areas, I recognize something higher and deeper at work when I disciple. Discipling isn’t just passing along techniques—it’s nurturing transformation, fostering conformity not to me or my way of doing things, but to the image of the Master himself, Jesus of Nazareth. In the end, that’s the real distinction: mentoring begins and ends with me, but discipleship is all about surrendering myself to the One who calls us to make disciples—not just students, but followers of Christ in everything we do.
For more information about how to flourish based on secular research and the ancient wisdom of the bible, please read The Truth in True Crime; What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life. This book teaches readers 15 rues for life, recognized in murder investigations. It also makes a case for the reliability of the Bible from Biblical anthropology. The book is accompanied by a sixteen-session Truth in True Crime Video Series (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
